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A brand new engineering hub has been officially opened at the University of Lincoln by one of the country’s leading scientists.

The Isaac Newton building - which is designed for students of mathematics, engineering and science and is the largest on campus - opened at the start of term, but was today, Thursday, October 19, declared open by professor Sir Mark Walport, the government’s chief scientific advisor and chief executive designate of UK research and innovation.

The £28 million project, which has seen the university set up a partnership with engineering firm Siemens, offers an array of exciting facilities, including a robotics lab, a turbine room and a 500-seat lecture theatre.

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Sir Walport was given a tour of the building and met with academics based at the university to get an insight into the exciting research taking place.

The 64-year-old said he was delighted to be afforded the opportunity to see first-hand the scientific research happening in Lincoln.

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“It is an enormous privilege and honour for me to be able to open this building,” he said in speech before the tour.

“It is wonderful. One of the great things we have in the UK is science technology engineering, which at the end of the day is about improving our lives and the environment of the planet.”

Sir Mark Walport and vice chancellor Mary Stuart

He added: “We need to find ways of bringing people together from different backgrounds and that is exactly what this building is all about.”

Sir Mark marvels over the features of the new build

Libby John, pro vice chancellor and head of science and engineering for the university, said the building will help shape the ‘problem-solvers of the future’ and was delighted Sir Walport was willing to lend his support to the new project.

Turbines from Siemens are on site

“Sir Mark Walport is the leading person in charge of science and innovation in the United Kingdom,” she said.

“So for him to come here and be here today to open this building, meet our scientists and meet our industry partners is a privilege and I think it shows we are doing a few things right.

“He told me he was impressed by the building and has had very engaging conversations with everyone he has met so far. He has asked a lot of questions about how we work with industry locally and about the science we are doing and how that can be translated in real world products for people in the UK.

“It is a fabulous space to work in and has fabulous facilities for our students and facilities for our industry partner Siemens are really strong.

“I think it’s really wonderful our students can work here every day in an environment where there is cutting-edge research and Siemens are here as well, giving them that impression of being prepared for the real world afterwards.”